Lessons for life on the slopes

Organisers said they hope they picked up an important lifelong enthusiasm for staying active to keep them fit.

The youngsters were in a party of 43 pupils and six staff from Farlington School ski at Montgenèvre in south eastern France. This annual event is open to all pupils of all abilities in years seven to 13 and provides many girls with their first opportunity to ski.

Each day the girls went to ski school for five hours and worked with the instructors to improve their technique within their ability group.

Fun was enjoyed off the slopes, too. As Gaby Eltham, Year 10, said: “Every evening was action-packed including a trip to the swimming pool, a complicated town trail and bum-boarding, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.”

Sara Whittaker, Director of PE and Games at Farlington, who organised the trip, said: “Ski trips are so much more than a holiday. They enhance physical skills and knowledge, develop personal and social awareness, provide the opportunity to set and achieve personal goals, develop environmental awareness, as well as the obvious health and fitness benefits.

“At Farlington we believe it is essential all girls find a fitness activity they enjoy and can participate in well beyond their school years. Lifelong participation in physical activity is our aim and, hopefully, skiing is something the girls will be able to pursue in the future.”